Universal themes....
I had the great privilege to spend time last week in the company of a group of people who come from, literally, around the world. And I came away from the experience with the awareness that regardless of which part of the planet they inhabit, we all share many of the same hopes and desires in life.
Following introductions, people would often inquire if you had children. Immediately their body language would change, as it did for the woman from Abu Dhabi who, when asked, broke into an enormous grin and said, "Oh yes, I have three." Parents from Sweden, Germany, Australia and the States would share about impending graduations and milestones reached, or exasperation and worry about what their teenagers might be up to, given that their parents were currently out of the country.
A young father from Italy said he couldn't go home unless he had purchased a few items for his two children. His four year old had given strict instructions it had to be a car, despite already having dozens. I shared that likewise, my oldest granddaughter would be looking for yet another horse.
Thankfully, I found one that walks and neighs at Hamleys toy store on Regent Street.
Those of us who are grandparents couldn't resist taking out our phones and sharing pictures. A lovely woman from Lichtenstein and I shared a conversation in which we found we had each felt an almost spiritual experience when our first grandchildren were born, and were delighted to find that each successive grandchild's birth was just as wonderful.
A couple from Canada proudly showed us pictures of their new puppy. A vibrant woman from Mexico City entertained us with her tales about her "boy" who turned out to be a pug, and how her two daughters, and husband, complain that she loves the dog more than them! We saw his photo too, and I confess to showing off my boys.
There was an Englishman (not mine) who was anxious that all would go well for the luncheon he was hosting in his flat, from the arrangement of the food to the temperature in the room - something I'm sure we can all relate to when having company over.
The excursion to Notting Hill and Portobello Road with a group of about forty women was great fun. Many bargains were found perusing the stalls and shops in that area. When we all gathered for lunch in the First Restaurant, at the end of the market stalls, purchases were held up with pride and we oohed and ahead over each one, congratulating those who got a real bargain.
When heading back to the tube station, one of the tour guides escorting us announced that we could either take a short cut or we could go past the blue....
Immediately we all shouted out "Blue door, blue door!" like school girls out on a field trip.
This blue door - the one made famous in the movie Notting Hill.
(it's the one in the center. If you haven't seen the film, I urge you to run, not walk, to the nearest means of rental or download and watch it. It's one of my absolute favorite movies!)
Love of family was the universal theme I heard.
Perhaps, if they brought together all the various leaders of the countries around the world with their loved ones on a four day conference, they too could see that we do in fact have more in common than not.
